Section 8: Common Responses from Patients

Phrase: 好 — hóu

Use as a simple “yes”, “OK”, or to agree with what was said.

Phrase: 唔好 — m̀h hóu

Use to say “no” or to refuse something gently.

Phrase: 想 — séung

Use to say you want to do something or would like something, in a softer way.

Phrase: 唔想 — m̀h séung

Use when the elder doesn’t want to do something or doesn’t feel like it.

Phrase: 要 — yiu

Use to say you want or need something, often a bit stronger or more definite than 「想」.

Phrase: 唔要 — m̀h yiu

Use to refuse something that’s offered, like food, drink, or an item.

Phrase: 遲啲先啦 — chìh dī sīn lā

Use when the patient doesn’t want something now but might want it later.

Phrase: 等一陣先 — dáng yāt jahn sīn

Use when the patient wants a short pause before continuing.

Phrase: 好快 — hóu faai

Use when the patient wants to say something will be over or ready very soon.

Phrase: 等一等 — dáng yāt dáng

Use when the patient wants the caregiver to wait briefly.

Phrase: 冇問題 — móuh mahn tàih

Use to reassure the caregiver that everything is fine or acceptable.

Phrase: 我冇乜嘢 — ngóh móuh māt yéh

Use when the patient feels generally fine and has no specific complaint.

Phrase: 我有啲唔舒服 — ngóh yáuh dī m̀h syū fuhk

Use when the patient feels unwell but may not be able to describe the details yet.

Phrase: 我呢度有啲痛 — ngóh nī douh yáuh dī tung

Use together with pointing to show where the pain is.

Phrase: 我好攰 — ngóh hóu guih

Use when the patient feels exhausted or needs to stop an activity.

Phrase: 我好凍 — ngóh hóu dung

Use when the patient feels cold and may need a blanket or extra clothing.

Phrase: 我好熱 — ngóh hóu yiht

Use when the patient feels too warm and may want to cool down.

Phrase: 我有啲暈 — ngóh yáuh dī wàhn

Use when the patient feels dizzy or light-headed and needs support or assessment.

Phrase: 我唔明 — ngóh m̀h mìhng

Use when the patient doesn’t understand instructions or explanations and needs clarification.

Phrase: 我需要人幫我 — ngóh sēui yiu yàhn bōng ngóh

Use when the patient wants to clearly say they need assistance.

Phrase: 我想休息一下 — ngóh séung yāu sīk yāt háh

Use when the patient wants to stop activities and lie down or take a break.

Phrase: 我唔要呢個 — ngóh m̀h yiu nī go

Use when the patient wants to refuse a particular item or option.

Phrase: 多謝 — dō jeh

Use to thank the caregiver or anyone who has helped.